Ancient Sites, Rain Forests & Coral Reefs
« All Yorktown cruise options
- Day 1 Arrive in Belize City, Belize / Embark
- Day 2 Lighthouse Reef
- Day 3 Dangriga / Mayflower Bocawina National Park
- Day 4 Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala
- Day 5 Punta Gorda, Belize / Snake Cays
- Day 6 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary / Placencia
- Day 7 Laughing Bird Cay & South Water Cay
- Day 8 Disembark in Belize City
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| E | D | C | B | A | AA | S | |
Please note: Cruise fare does not include fuel surcharges.
Deposit & Payment Day 1 Arrive in Belize City, Belize / Embark
Fly to Belize City, the capital of Belize. Upon arrival, transfer to the pier to embark on Yorktown. Overnight aboard docked in port.
Day 2 Lighthouse Reef
Sail from Belize City in the morning for Lighthouse Reef, navigating through the maze of small islands and cays of the Barrier Reef. Located 50 miles from the coast, Lighthouse Reef is an atoll that includes incomparable natural wonders. Land at Half Moon Cay, at the southern fringe of the reef, which is the breeding ground of the endangered red-footed boobies, as well as other birds, including magnificent frigates, mangrove warblers, ospreys, and others. After exploring this idyllic spot and viewing the bird colonies, board local boats for the short trip to the celebrated Blue Hole, a large circular formation with its incredible blue and black hues. Part of an underwater national park, the hole is surrounded by a 1,000-foot coral rim that rises to the lagoon’s surface. Back in Half Moon Cay, you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel.
Day 3 Dangriga / Mayflower Bocawina National Park
The largest town in southern Belize (population 11,500), Dangriga is the cultural center of the friendly Garifuna, a people of mixed indigenous Caribbean and African descent. On arrival, drive to the nearby Mayflower Bocawina National Park, a lush forested area at the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Walking trails through the forest lead to waterfalls and Maya temples, including Mayflower, a Late Classic site. The forest is home to over 230 species of birds, howler monkeys, and other wildlife. After exploring this area of great beauty, return to Dangriga to learn about the Garifuna culture at the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, visit local artists’ galleries, and shop for fine crafts made by the Garifuna people. You may also relax and swim at a nearby beach.
Day 4 Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala
Located at the head of the spacious Amatique Bay, Guatemala’s port town of Santo Tomas de Castilla is your gateway to Quiriguá and the San Felipe Fortress, two of the country’s most interesting sites. Surrounded by rain forest, Quiriguá is an ancient Maya center, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, that is justly famous for its superbly intricate and well-preserved carvings on huge stone stelae that are spread around the Great Plaza. After exploring the site, drive to the waterside village of San Felipe for lunch and a visit to its fortress, which was built by the Spanish in the mid-17th century to protect their trade routes from British pirates. Set at the confluence of the Dulce River and Lake Izabal, the fortress offers splendid views of the lake and the surrounding forest.
Day 5 Punta Gorda, Belize / Snake Cays
Returning to Belize, land at Punta Gorda, a small town set on cliffs above the sea. Drive inland to explore two rarely-visited ancient Maya sites, Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit. Located on a high ridge, Lubaantun was a major Maya center that flourished around 700 a.d. The site includes five plazas flanked by buildings and ball courts. Nearby, Nim Li Punit was the ceremonial
and religious center of the region, and it is known for its impressive stelae. Return to Punta Gorda to re-board Yorktown. Over lunch aboard, sail to the Snake Cays, where you will enjoy swimming and snorkeling.
Day 6 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary / Placencia
From Big Creek, drive to one of Belize’s most alluring places, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, a dense tropical rain forest set against the jagged peaks of the Maya Mountains. Clear streams and rivers traverse this protected sanctuary that is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including tapir, armadillo, anteater, jaguar, and over 290 species of birds, including the endangered scarlet macaw, keel-billed toucan, and the great curassow. There is also a large range of plants, including orchids, air plants, and giant tree ferns. After exploring this sublime place, return to the ship and sail just across the bay to Placencia, a small fishing village that is becoming one of Belize’s primary resort areas, thanks to its superb white sand beaches. Spend time at leisure to shop and explore Placencia, as well as enjoy time at the beach.
Day 7 Laughing Bird Cay & South Water Cay
Sail early in the morning for Laughing Bird Cay, a tiny piece of land (2.5 acres) of a submerged atoll and a part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site. Pelicans and osprey nest ashore, but the real attractions are found underwater, where the surrounding reef of luxuriant coral supports a tremendous diversity of fish and invertebrate life. Spend the morning swimming and snorkeling to discover this fantastic marine world. Cruising north in the Inner Channel, the tranquil waterway between the mainland and the Barrier Reef, reach South Water Cay, arguably one of the most beautiful of Belize’s isles. Sitting right on the reef, South Water Cay, which is part of a marine reserve, affords memorable swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water, while the beach is ideal for relaxing. The southern part of the island is a protected nature sanctuary. Late in the afternoon, sail to Belize City, arriving in the evening. Overnight aboard docked in port.
Day 8 Disembark in Belize City
Disembark in the morning and transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
Itinerary Notes
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS• 7-night cruise aboard the 138-guest Yorktown
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying study leaders
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO TIKAL
Travelers will be able to participate on a 2-night/3-day pre-cruise optional extension to Tikal, the great Maya city located deep in the jungle of Guatemala’s Peten region. During your stay, explore this amazing ancient site, including
its imposing temples, leisurely and thoroughly. Please contact us for details and rates.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $950, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | $500 |
| 90-61 days | 55% cruise cost |
| 60-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Yorktown
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 138
The Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America’s great coastal waterways. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, with a draft of 8 feet, the Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. And Yorktown’s American registry makes it possible to operate domestic itineraries unavailable to foreign-flag ships.
In addition to a large sun deck, the Yorktown boasts a spacious lounge for social gatherings and lectures as well as quiet space for private conversation. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions and specialties. Both the lounge and dining room are surrounded by large picture windows that afford unobstructed
views of the passing scenery.
Accommodating 138 guests in 69 exterior cabins, the Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike.
Measuring 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, and with a draft of just eight feet, the ship's easy maneuverability and shallow draft enable exploration of secluded waterways beyond the reach of bigger ships. A fleet of motorized landing craft can be launched in minutes for spontaneous landings on small islands and deserted beaches.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | E Outside cabins with two lower beds, two portholes, private shower & toilet. Cabins M11-M17 |
| D Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L43-48 | |
 | C Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins P49-P76 |
| B Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins M18-M26 | |
 | A Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L29-L42 |
 | AA Outside cabins with two lower beds (converts to queen), two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L27-28, P59-60 |
 | S Superior outside cabins with walk-out balcony, queen bed, private shower & toilet. Cabins S77-S80 |
